Patents by Inventor Brent A. Klopfenstein

Brent A. Klopfenstein has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4884401
    Abstract: A dual hydraulic motor system where motor wobblers are mechanically linked and the motor outputs are torque summed, is controlled by a three position dual valve assembly. Each valve assembly is controlled by pilot pistons that are mechanically linked to provide three functions, one being normal operation, a second where one motor must be shut-off and its load on the system is minimized and the third where both motors are shut-off and significant drag is then provided. These functions are implemented by a separate spool in each valve which has three independent stable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Metcalf, Brent A. Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 4867295
    Abstract: A shock absorbing overtravel stop apparatus which includes a rotatable drive shaft 10, a screw shaft 15 driven by the drive shaft 10, and a nonrotatable travelling nut 30 threaded on and moveable axially along the screw shaft 15. At one end 28 of the screw shaft 15, the apparatus is provided with a rotating stop 38 and a stationery stop 40. At the other end 20 of the screw shaft 15, there is provided a bearing housing 21, journalling the screw shaft 15 for rotation and mounting the screw shaft for axial movement along the axis. The travelling nut 30 is moveable in one direction to engage the stops 38, 40 whereupon the rotary motion of the screw shaft 15 is terminated. The travelling nut 30 is also moveable in the other direction into contact with the bearing housing 21 to exert an axial force upon the screw shaft 15 such that the screw shaft 15 moves axially to engage the stops 38, 40 whereupon the rotary motion of the screw shaft 15 is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Metcalf, Brent A. Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 4834225
    Abstract: A no-back mechanism including a rotatable screw shaft 16, rotatable drive element 70 on the screw shaft 16, a limited lost motion connection 72 between the screw shaft 16 and the drive element 70, a thrust plate 28 on the screw shaft 16, first and second friction discs 30, 32 sandwiching the thrust plate 28 and being journaled by bearings 38, 40 for rotation with the thrust plate 28, first and second one way clutches 54, 56 respectively associated with the first and second friction discs 30, 32 for respectively allowing the first friction disc 30 to rotate in one direction but not the other and for allowing the second friction disc 32 to rotate in the other direction but not in the first direction, a ratchet ring 86, 88 surrounding the screw shaft 16, first and second oppositely directed pawls 104, 106 carried by the screw shaft 16 and engageable with the ratchet ring 86, 88 for preventing relative motion between the screw shaft 16 and the ratchet ring 86, 88 in the direction the associated pawl 104, 106 is d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Klopfenstein, David J. Lang
  • Patent number: 4745815
    Abstract: A non-jamming ballscrew actuator system which includes an inner screw, an intermediate ballscrew internally threaded on the inner screw, and an outer ballscrew nut rotatably mounted about the ballscrew. An actuator is operatively associated with a load to be actuated and connected to the inner screw for axial movement therewith. A drive rotates the ballscrew nut to axially move the ballscrew. A first brake prevents rotation of the ballscrew, and a second brake prevents rotation of the inner screw. In the event of jamming between the ballscrew and ballscrew nut, the first brake is released to allow the ballscrew to threadingly drive the inner screw and, thereby, move the actuator. In the event of failure of the drive, the second brake is released to allow reaction movement of the actuator means in response to load forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Brent A. Klopfenstein